Which enhances the notion that this about something else, Moving to MGP/AMG for less money doesn't seem to be the most logical move ever done in the history of F1?

Lewis is also free to pursue all those side deals that Ron the Con forbid. So I'd bet when all is said and done, the combination of salary and endorsements will be far more than anything McLaren could have offered.

If DDRS (the ROOT of the heavy rear tyre wear) can be blocked off, why couldnt they do that as soon as they realised it was more hinderance than help?

How are you qualified to make that statement? In fact, you've recently been making a lot of design assumptions. On you go: show your data. Why is their double DRS worsening rear tyre wear (typically controlled by rear down force and suspension geometry)? And why is a 60% scale model in a wind tunnel superior to a 50%?

How are you qualified to make that statement? In fact, you've recently been making a lot of design assumptions. On you go: show your data. Why is their double DRS worsening rear tyre wear (typically controlled by rear down force and suspension geometry)? And why is a 60% scale model in a wind tunnel superior to a 50%?

It is the opinion of Gary Anderson. He has written at length numerous times on Mercedes' problems, the DDRS and the relationship with rear heavy tyre wear.

Lewis is also free to pursue all those side deals that Ron the Con forbid. So I'd bet when all is said and done, the combination of salary and endorsements will be far more than anything McLaren could have offered.

Somehow I doubt if Ron Dennis ever endorsed that sort of facial hair on Hamilton, knowing how he advised Alonso on haircut as well as eyebrows?

Believe it or not, but Ron the con is my kinda guy, attention to detail to the extreme.

Wouldn't someone with an abundance of technical knowledge know all about how to solve these problems?

That's what I can't understand one bit. He gets so much credit for Ferrari winning all their championships --more than Rory Byrne seems to-- and yet he exhibits no technical knowledge of any kind here at MGP? Yet people keep insisting he was a great TD at Ferrari.

Wouldn't someone with an abundance of technical knowledge know all about how to solve these problems?

That's what I can't understand one bit. He gets so much credit for Ferrari winning all their championships --more than Rory Byrne seems to-- and yet he exhibits no technical knowledge of any kind here at MGP? Yet people keep insisting he was a great TD at Ferrari.

Jean Todt was and is a hell of lot better than Ross at TP. Yes I know Brawn '09, but that was a one off. If Jean was at MGP, it would be quite a different structure. IRoss was an excellent TD because that's what he was known for since his days at Jaguar in early 90s Group C racing.

Jean Todt was and is a hell of lot better than Ross at TP. Yes I know Brawn '09, but that was a one off. If Jean was at MGP, it would be quite a different structure. IRoss was an excellent TD because that's what he was known for since his days at Jaguar in early 90s Group C racing.

Ross Brawn was never a real TD, as a matter of fact he's not even an engineer, he started out as a machine operator with MrM's March outfit and grew from there.

Just a street-smart friend of Mosley's, that's all. But time catches up on all of us, doesn't it?

It's good to see so much positivity from the true fans????
We all need to realise that once the team had decided [wrongly but they weren't to know that until they tried it] that the DDRS was worth more than it turned out to be they were then unable to produce different down force from the front wings. The feed to the front wings became very limiting in as much as the cascades of the wings can not be radically altered. With the DDRS eliminated next season they have much more freedom with front and rear wings plus the front qualifiers won't have the full use of the current DRS so Merc have a very good chance to design a solid car from the get-go.

It's good to see so much positivity from the true fans????We all need to realise that once the team had decided [wrongly but they weren't to know that until they tried it] that the DDRS was worth more than it turned out to be they were then unable to produce different down force from the front wings. The feed to the front wings became very limiting in as much as the cascades of the wings can not be radically altered. With the DDRS eliminated next season they have much more freedom with front and rear wings plus the front qualifiers won't have the full use of the current DRS so Merc have a very good chance to design a solid car from the get-go.

The issue I believe is fans of what, is a heap of overpaid "names"in Brackley really what should represent Mercedes?

Sure, Hamilton is no engineer. But then again, I sort of doubt he'd say that for no reason. He has never displayed confidence in the W04. Another thing that struck me was that Michael, just a few races back (before announcing retirement), admitted that he hasn't really achieved anything and he seemed to imply that he wants to continue and make his comeback worthwhile. Maybe after some grave disaster came to the fore with the W04, he thought that he isn't up for another fruitless year. My subjective opinion about the tone his is giving out in interviews about his retirement seems that of relief.

Sure, Hamilton is no engineer. But then again, I sort of doubt he'd say that for no reason. He has never displayed confidence in the W04. Another thing that struck me was that Michael, just a few races back (before announcing retirement), admitted that he hasn't really achieved anything and he seemed to imply that he wants to continue and make his comeback worthwhile. Maybe after some grave disaster came to the fore with the W04, he thought that he isn't up for another fruitless year. My subjective opinion about the tone his is giving out in interviews about his retirement seems that of relief.

I'm always trying to be optimistic, but I'm a bit worried here...

What? I saw the interview and he was referring to his decision to join the team. Not the car.

Michael choose not to sign.. There must be a reason as he has shown this year that he still more then enough speed, beyond fit enough and still driven so his decision to not sign has to be taken as a concern about the 2013 car - if was good on paper, no reason he wouldn't have continued and he had wanted, he could have retired 1 into his 2yr contract Merc offered.

Too many chefs ie 2 designers designing 2 very different cars and still don't know what's wrong with this one...

Sure, Hamilton is no engineer. But then again, I sort of doubt he'd say that for no reason. He has never displayed confidence in the W04. Another thing that struck me was that Michael, just a few races back (before announcing retirement), admitted that he hasn't really achieved anything and he seemed to imply that he wants to continue and make his comeback worthwhile. Maybe after some grave disaster came to the fore with the W04, he thought that he isn't up for another fruitless year. My subjective opinion about the tone his is giving out in interviews about his retirement seems that of relief.

I'm always trying to be optimistic, but I'm a bit worried here...

I too saw this interview and read two printed versions of the interview. The impression I got was that Hamilton was referring to the current car (W03) not 'looking right'. AFAI Hamilton hasn't yet visited the Mercedes factory? Could be wrong but this was my impression. If Hamilton had come out and said off the cuff the W04 doesn't look right I'm certain this would have been the headline of the article.

I too saw this interview and read two printed versions of the interview. The impression I got was that Hamilton was referring to the current car (W03) not 'looking right'. AFAI Hamilton hasn't yet visited the Mercedes factory? Could be wrong but this was my impression. If Hamilton had come out and said off the cuff the W04 doesn't look right I'm certain this would have been the headline of the article.

He has been to the factory, Mercedes(Brawn, or maybe lauda) has confirmed that seeing the facilities and what they plan for the future gave him the last nudge to sign for Merc. So I hardly think he has been refering to the W04, in fact, I find that impossible. He was talking about the W03.

He has been to the factory, Mercedes(Brawn, or maybe lauda) has confirmed that seeing the facilities and what they plan for the future gave him the last nudge to sign for Merc. So I hardly think he has been refering to the W04, in fact, I find that impossible. He was talking about the W03.

Yes I agree. This is what I was saying I can't see Hamilton commenting on next years car at such an early stage. Let alone a negative comment. Wasn't aware he'd already toured the factory. Good to know thanks Szoelloe.

THX Urawa. I kind of feel for them, having to cover their axx with the 'if no unexpected problems' part. Biggest disappointment me, this season was, since I follow F1. I just hope for a solid car next season, they have to break this effing curse in Brackley.

THX Urawa. I kind of feel for them, having to cover their axx with the 'if no unexpected problems' part. Biggest disappointment me, this season was, since I follow F1. I just hope for a solid car next season, they have to break this effing curse in Brackley.

Ross should come to Jerez with a big binder that has the words "EXCUSES" printed in bold letters on the cover just in case.

With Pirelli changing the tires for 2013, we've already got our go to excuse for Ross ready to be rolled out.

If they want to break the curse in Brackley, the Daimler board needs to fire Ross and Norby the Hutt first. This team needs a real team principal...I think that would do wonders for this team.

It looks like it will rain during the race at the moment (see the race thread). I still remember MS last race in 2006 very well and would hope that he can do something great today, but my head says that there is only a very remote chance for this to happen. I hope at least one of the drivers can end the season on a high.

yeah next year car ready for the first test - unless of course they continue with the design work to maximise its development up until the last minute. what year was that pathetic excuse tarted out. it might even have been this year wasnt it when the car only finally made it to the last test in completed form.

good riddence.

as I said before the reality for lewis is that if the w04 is any good then it is purely a fluke only, so bad is this yrs car that it is of no use whatsoever in preparing the 2013 car (and lets forget that the team doesnt even understand what is wrong with this car either other than by reverting to its early season format they actually looked more competitive)

Michael pretty much said he is not sure they can't solve their aero problems which is a pretty big indictment of what a joke this team is.

I'd wager the real reason Michael didn't make a decision on 2013 was because he had a feeling the W04 would be another joke of a car.

I give him credit for being rather diplomatic about the entire thing, when I don't think anyone would have faulted him for throwing this team under the bus. Too bad he didn't as maybe it would have been the wake-up call the Daimler board needed to put Dave Richards in as TP and to get rid of that fat slob and the fly fisher.

I imagine Hamilton will be back at McLaren in 2014 or somewhere else, once he gets embarrassed by this team.